You have probably found yourself wondering, especially during the seasons, why NBA tickets are so expensive. Well, the answer is simple. It is the supply and demand.
The seats are usually limited in NBA games, but the audiences are unlimited. As a result, the tickets become a rarity, resulting in the high price.
On average, an NBA ticket costs $94. But this price can rise and range anywhere between $1,200 and $90,000. What factors play a role in the pricing, and how can one get an affordable seat? This article answers all.
Why Are The NBA Tickets So Expensive?
Well, it’s not the seats or the rent or the demand of the players that contribute to the high price of the tickets. It’s simply the popularity and demand. However, it’s not always this simple, and in certain cases, there are a few more factors at play here.
Here, let’s take a look at the factors that influence ticket prices.
Player Popularity and Team Success:
Star players like LeBron James and Michael Jordan do not come cheap. They themselves are really expensive because of their immensely impressive gaming skills. This alone has gained them numerous die-hard fans.
Now, imagine if these two legends are head-to-head in a game. This surely will interest more fans. Even the general, seasonal fans who are not into the game that much will make sure to get into the game.
Fans always look for opportunities to see their favorite athlete in action, especially if they are up against their rival. This is what drives up the price for games featuring superstars.
In addition, the success of a particular team is directly related to ticket prices. Playoff-bound or championship-contending teams attract more spectators, contributing to the rarity of the game. This is when the game becomes more expensive.
The Venue:
This is more of a given. The venue or the stage of the game helps to intensify the excitement of the game. For example, games held in iconic arenas give an exotic feel.
Apart from this, games held in cities with a higher cost of living will have more expenses to bear. As a result, the venue itself will become costly.
The seating option is also an important factor to consider. If you are getting a simple casual seat at the venue with a bad view and little to no amenities available, you definitely won’t have to pay a lot. But if the seats are comfortable, creatively organized to allow a convenient viewing angle, and tons of facilities available, it will surely cost higher than a regular seat.
Significance of The Game:
I have already touched on this topic before, yet I have to mention it again because it is one of the central factors at play here.
High-stakes games, such as critical matchups or playoffs, increase ticket prices due to increased demand. Especially the rivalry games have intense competitions. Their historic significance is something that the fans don’t want to miss.
Well, arranging these ‘historic’ matches costs a lot as only the legends are at play. However, the fact that literally all the fans want to attend the match increases the demand for the ticket. An increase in demand means rarity. And the NBA utilizes this rarity to gain profits.
Ticket Scalping and Secondary Markets:
If you are not buying from the official vendors, then you are definitely paying extra for the tickets. The secondary markets and the scalpers purchase bulk tickets from the source vendor and create an artificial scarcity.
After acquiring the tickets at face value, they resell those very tickets at a much-inflated price. Given the excessive demands, they always have buyers at hand. This sadly makes it impossible for the prices to go down.
Scalpers and secondary marketers take advantage of especially the popular games, the games that already cost a lot. As a result, the tickets become double or more expensive than the original price.
How To Manage Affordable Tickets?
Yes, nothing can be more disappointing than your highly anticipated game coming at the price of your kidney. As you can see from the reasons, due to how popularity plays out from time to time, it’s not possible for the authority to maintain an affordable price for all, even if they try to.
However, if you play certain tricks right, it’s possible for you to get your hands on some tickets at a price you can surely afford. These are some pretty simple strategies that most fans don’t consider. So, check them out here before someone else does.
Be the Early Bird:
One of the most effective strategies for securing affordable NBA tickets is to get them in advance. Firstly, take a look at the fixture and the schedule of the game beforehand and determine the games you want to attend. Then buy the tickets to that game the moment the tickets become available.
Not only will this save you from getting scammed by scalpers, but you may also get the tickets at discounted prices.
However, this is not a feasible option if the game is a really important one. In that case, you have tons of other competitors who are waiting for the same things as you.
Packages and Promotions:
The playing teams and the venues, or the sponsors themselves, sometimes offer season ticket packages with bundled discounts. The special promotions and discounts for a particular game can offer the fan the opportunity to attend the game at a more reasonable price.
To avail of these offers, you have to keep a keen eye. It’s really easy to miss out on these discounts. So, always make sure to be attentive and don’t hesitate to ask around for discounts. Who knows, your nearest café is probably offering tickets at a discounted price if you buy a mocha.
This may sound like a bit of a hassle, but considering the price you get, this hassle is worth the effort.
Observing the Resale Market:
Again, keeping a keen eye never disappoints. If you monitor the resale market closely, you will see how frequently the price of the tickets fluctuates.
What you have to do is wait for the right time. Wait until the ticket price spikes because, at the very next moment, it is likely to plummet.
Ticket prices rise occasionally to deal with excessive demand. When the demand decreases, the prices drop drastically as there are fewer buyers. This is the moment when you should barge in and get your tickets.
Yes, this too is a bit of a hassle. You have to stay updated and check the price every now and then.
Apart from the demand, the team’s performance and player availability can influence the price as well. Overall, if you keep a close eye, you’ll see the prices going down, even if it’s a big game.
Has The Tickets Always Been So Expensive?
Well, there was a time when it was mandatory for people to stand in line to purchase the tickets. It was a much simpler time then. Though obtaining a ticket then would take a long time, the prices were much more affordable. With time, things changed, and so did the prices of the tickets.
Here’s how that history goes,
Early Days of the 50s and 60s:
In the early years of the NBA, the tickets came at a relatively affordable price. It was really cheap compared to contemporary standards.
Well, the league itself was in its infancy. In addition, the teams used to play in smaller venues. Most stars were not stars yet. The overall focus then was to build a fan base and establish the league as a sports entertainment. For this purpose, the NBA priced the tickets lower than it is now.
Following Era of 70s and 80s:
The years that followed changed everything. It is apparent how the 70s and 80s marked a significant period of expansion for the NBA. This is the period when iconic players like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson appeared and pulled the league into the mainstream.
With time, the NBA gained popularity. More people were into it than ever before. As a result, the demand for tickets increased, which eventually led to the gradual uptick in prices.
Still, compared to now, that price was very much affordable.
The 1990s; Era of Jordan:
It won’t be wrong to argue that Michael Jordan single-handedly made a significant contribution to the popularity of basketball. The Chicago Bulls’ success and Jordan’s superstar status all came in the 90s.
This had a really great impact on the price of the ticket. Games that featured Jordan became premium events and had greater demands. Jordan himself charged a lot per game. Overall, the NBA had to increase the prices, especially for Jordan. One can say that this is when the NBA started to sell tickets as a premium service.
Globalization of 2000s:
Jordan made a significant contribution to making NBA games premium events. Even after Jordan retired, nothing much changed about it. In the post-Jordan era, more international stars like Dirk Nowitzki and Yao Ming took the stage.
These players added to the allure of the league. Now, the international audience was interested in the games as well. The audience grew, and so did the scope of the games. As it was with the previous era, the ticket prices continued to reflect the demand for marquee matchups and star players.
Modern Era of 2010s:
With the emergence of the modern era, things changed entirely. For starters, the 2010s saw a further surge in NBA popularity. It was mainly the technological advancement that contributed to this growth.
Social media and streaming platforms helped the game reach a wider audience. More people became interested in the game, and the excitement of the matches reached more young hearts.
In addition, the popularity of online tickets and the emergence of secondary markets like SeatGeek and StubHub added to the layer of ticket pricing. Yes, technology certainly did make it easy for fans to avail tickets. In addition to this, it also paved the path for dynamic pricing. Here too, the pricing varied depending on overall demands, player availability, and, of course, team performance.
In the current era, the NBA has become a premium entertainment experience. It was all about the match before. But now, the venue, team success, and the presence of star players matter a lot. As these fluctuating factors determine the price of the tickets, the tickets keep getting more and more expensive, and it is certain that it’ll continue to do so.
Conclusion
NBA tickets are supposed to be expensive. Why so? Well, now it’s not only about the games. It has become a form of premium entertainment surrounding star players, luxurious seating, and super exclusive experience. It was never this expensive before because, well, it wasn’t this popular back then. Now, with the increase of demand, the NBA tickets are more expensive than ever. Fortunately, if you have read this entire article, you now know how you can get a better deal and grab tickets at a much affordable price. All you need to do is practice the simple strategies mentioned here and you are good to go.
FAQ:
What was the most expensive NBA ticket?
In the recorded history of NBA, the Golden State Warriors have the highest average ticket price. Their average ticket costs around $611. This is thrice as much as you would pay for Los Angeles Clippers.
How much does NBA make per year from tickets?
NBA earns around a whooping $5 billion annually from tickets alone. This earning does not include the sponsors or any other source.
What are the best websites for getting tickets at an affordable rate?
Well, secondary markets almost never offer tickets at the original price. Most of the time its much higher than the face price. However, there are some websites where you can find somewhat affordable NBA tickets. Ticketmaster, StubHub, GameTime, SeatGeek, and Tixbag are some popular names.